High court rules for military funeral protesters

from JoeUser Forums

News just hit:

High court rules for military funeral protesters

8-1 decision (with Alito dissenting) basically saying the First Ammendment trumps all.

I'm saddened by this as I think the members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas that have been doing these protests are nothing but publicity whores with a complete and total lack of respect for others. Apparently any portion of the bible that related to "do unto others" has been conveniently ignored by these individuals. >:(

I'm somewhat stunned by the decision as I really didn't expect it, but at the same time, perhaps this bodes well for the constitution under the current court. After all, this all stems from their belief that the First Ammendment does rule and that people are entitled to voice their opinions. While I personally don't necessarily have a problem with restricting where First Ammendment rights can be freely exercised and had expected the decision here to perhaps focus on that issue rather than simply taking the point that these protesters First Ammendment rights can be exercised basically anywhere they choose.

Perhaps the answer that needs to be applied is one of just ignoring these people completely. If the media stops giving them any sort of attention I'd like to think they'd eventually grow bored with spewing their messages of hate. While a select few may not see what their doing as being rooted in that area, I do. They are the kinds of people that give good believers a bad name.

3,320 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

I am surprised it was not 9-0.  I will have to read Alito's dissent.  I abhor their actions! But as the saying goes - we do defend their right to be arsebungs.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

I think it was right.

I also think WBC are nut jobs.  lol

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

What we need is a group of people who would face them and try to keep them from bugging he families of dead soldiers. A group that can legally intervene between them. I find it amazing how some churches have such a strong belief to interrupt the lives of other people yet there is not one out there who is willing to defend these people who simply want to lay their family member to rest after giving their lives for the country. Where are those people who supposedly defend those who need it from nut cases likes these?

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Thinking about this some more throughout the day, I think in the end perhaps some other individuals should exercise their free speech rights on the lawn of the church these loons hail from, with the loudest possible bullhorns and other devices in use during the time the church members are trying to worship, strategize, or otherwise have any quiet moments.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
You're on to something there, Terp, but they're not worth the time or trouble if you ask me. I'm pleased with the decision. Wish it had been 9-0, but it bodes well for the future. PC may not not have much shelf life after all.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Having scanned the Alito dissent, I understand what he is saying.  I think it was just a rant for himself.  Many, if not most of us can at least understand and sympathize with his view.

But on the protest on their lawn - if you do so, make sure you follow the law.  From what I have been told, one of their members is a lawyer that loves to sue people that protest against them - if they can find any infraction of the law.  The church has no other source of income.  Satan loves to use every trick in his play book to be the sh*t stirrer.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

The First Amendment is worth the cost of being offended from time to time.  'Sticks and stones...'

If we could get the sh*t stirrers in the lamestream press to ignore them, they'd get tired after awhile.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

terpfan1980:

Thinking about this some more throughout the day, I think in the end perhaps some other individuals should exercise their free speech rights on the lawn of the church these loons hail from, with the loudest possible bullhorns and other devices in use during the time the church members are trying to worship, strategize, or otherwise have any quiet moments.
End of quote

If we do this, are we not stooping to their level (the one that is wrong (not illegal)) ... and that would show our adulthood … how?

It should have been unanimous decision though from a legal standpoint. But I think it is wasted breath to try and influence our media to grow up and do something responsible for a change ... just seems like futility to me. One would think there would be a public backlash to this nonsense as more and more Americans are exposed to their improprieties and indiscretions … where is it?

I would think a better way would be to go and physically support the families when it is known (as it always is) that these demonstrations are going to take place. I think the media and the kooks would melt into the background … and maybe go away if there were say a thousand supporters in their way, just a thought.

Doc: I agree with you … it seems the legal system is not going to be of much help here as the issue has been removed from the equation for us. I have often found it useful to do the opposite of what your antagonists expect you to do because they are only looking for a fight … so don’t give it to them …

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

I would think a better way would be to go and physically support the families when it is known (as it always is) that these demonstrations are going to take place. I think the media and the kooks would melt into the background … and maybe go away if there were say a thousand supporters in their way, just a thought.
End of quote

When the Westboro coven declared they would picket the funeral of the youngest Tucson victim, almost the entire state of Arizona banded together and pledged to block them from the funeral (peaceful, but it is hard to not break a law when a wall of bodies stand between you and your target.  The coven called it off.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

We'v e had the pleasure of WBC's presence here a number of times for military funerals.  But the Swirl is a town with a huge military presence, five major bases in the area.  The last time they came to town, they were kept a good distance away from the cemetery by a barricade of bikers flying American flags and looking very inhospitable.  The court had no other way to go...like Doc said, we fight to defend those rights and we can't balk at that just because we don't like what they have to say.  What isn't guaranteed is a right to be heard.  They do not have right to assemble without permit or to disrupt an orderly public funeral, a point which I am disappointed that the court didn't address at all, apparently.

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

Big Fat Daddy:

I do not know of a practical way (acceptable at present?) to separate them and their "cause" from the mud stream media ... all things considered. But the only peace and compassion for those who so desperately deserve it … seemingly is as you mentioned … is the separation by numbers (especially by the hells angels, hehehe) … at least this has filtered their raw anger … and we can expect our representatives to behave properly …

Doc:

As you may know, I do not understand how a group of people can press their beliefs ... beyond all reason...

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

I love this post and this topic.  I am very interested to see how this gets handled in the next few months.  WBC is a group that has made my beautiful state of Kansas look bad for too many years.  Unfortunately, I do understand that they have the right to say and do what they say and do.  I spend much of my time protecting that freedom (military).  And if I get killed on deployment (or anywhere else for that matter), they will have right to protest my death while defending their right to protest.  Ugh.  For us to be truly free, however, we have to allow all kinds of speech to take place.  I am also protecting the Hell's Angels' freedom to go out there and rev their engines to block out the WBC.  And that is something I can definitely live with (going with them will probably be a retired activity for me, provided that WBC is still around and doing what they do).  Well, in order to keep this comment from running too long, I will just write an article on this on my blog.  For those that would like to read more on this (I have tons of info on these guys and the back story), please visit my blog:

http://fredcanfly.wordpress.com

Thanks all and have a wonderful day,

Trevis

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

fredcanfly - It is one of those catch-22 moments isn't it. As I see, the Church (all of them?) is in the market as righteous do-gooders to enlighten the world with God’s good will and such … these people are not righteous nor are they do-gooders and if this is how they would demonstrate their understanding of God’s will … well they do not know much about that either. Their intentions are evil as well as their actions and there is no goodness to be had. They are just a family of idiots ... with all the rights and protections our kids are dying for to protect.